As winter edges closer and temperatures continue to drop more every day, making sure your home remains protected from winter weather should be one of your top priorities. Your home serves as a sanctuary during even the most extreme conditions, but it isn’t only your heating system that you depend upon to keep your family comfortable this season. Exterior siding is your home’s first and most effective line of defense, acting as a shield against frigid temperatures, strong winds, and intense snowstorms.
Dependable, long-lasting siding means you are protected while your home retains its longevity, appearance, and value over time. The right siding not only establishes a formidable barrier against the elements it also upgrades the energy efficiency of your home. By preventing the intrusion of outdoor air and reflecting the sun’s heat, siding reduces the burden carried by your HVAC system in temperature regulation. Lower energy usage equates with substantial savings on your utility bills.
If you’re interested in making a simple home improvement with a high return on investment, replacing your siding may be the perfect choice for you. Many options exist for exterior siding, but vinyl is unquestionably the most durable material at the best price point. Whether you want to safeguard your home against winter weather, generate lower energy bills, or enhance the aesthetic quality of your home, you should consider replacing your current siding with affordable, energy-efficient vinyl siding.
In This Article
The Benefits of Vinyl Siding Replacement
For years metal siding was considered the most durable option available for exterior siding, but advancements in materials technology have allowed vinyl to nearly close the gap. Vinyl is difficult to damage and can last for decades. It doesn’t scratch or dent, and because it comprises one solid piece, any cracks can be easily fixed without the need for repainting.
Contractors can install vinyl siding on newly built walls or cover many kinds of existing siding. If you want more insulation, insulated vinyl siding includes a solid form backing that fills the gaps behind its stepped profile. This also increases the siding’s ability to endure impact damage.
Vinyl siding makes a great choice for siding replacement for its high quality and affordability, low maintenance requirements, and versatility. The cost of materials for vinyl siding installation is lower than most other options and, when combined with almost negligible upkeep, provides long term savings year after year.
Compared to all other siding options, vinyl requires the least amount of maintenance to keep it functioning well and looking great—just the spray of a hose and the occasional scrub with a brush. You’ll be sure to find the right style for your home, as vinyl siding comes in a wide array of sizes, textures, and colors, including products that imitate stone or wood shingles.
What to Expect When Replacing Your Siding
Although vinyl siding is relatively easy to install, you should hire an experienced professional to ensure the best results. Choose a reliable contractor from a company that has a commitment to customer service and offers warranties for their products, giving you peace of mind and substantially increasing your home’s resale value. The siding replacement process will vary based on your home’s specific features. Generally, knowing what to expect of a siding replacement can help you plan your project, manage your goals, and support a smooth, pleasant experience.
The Siding Replacement Timeline
Primarily, the size of your home will influence your siding replacement timeline, as well as the number of stories it includes and the terrain on which it is situated. Your contractor should discuss these variables with you before generating a final quote. On average, siding installation takes 10 to 14 days. This includes removing existing siding, inspecting and preparing the surface of your home exterior, adding insulation, installing the new siding, and final details, such as trim.
Please keep in mind that unforeseen issues can arise during the initial inspection that may require more work to remedy. More work means more time and resources, increasing your total bill. If the contractor will be painting the siding, it adds a couple of additional days to the timeline.
The Process of Siding Replacement
- Inspection—When your existing siding is removed, your contractor will inspect the walls beneath to ensure structural integrity and check for indications of water damage, rot, or the need to complete repairs before the new siding can be installed. Beneath your existing siding is sheathing, a layer of wood, cement board, or fiberglass that forms a base into which siding is nailed, lending stability to the siding and allowing it to remain rigid. Damaged sheathing requires additional time and money to repair.
- Insulation—Underneath the sheathing is where insulation is installed to aid in preventing wind or water intrusion. Your contractor will ensure your home is properly insulated before adding siding, so replacement of insulation may be necessary at this stage. Old insulation may include asbestos, a toxic substance that is often exceptionally difficult to uncover but can cause serious health problems if not removed.
- Preparation—After this inspection, your contractor will prepare the exterior wall of your home to ensure the surface is ready for the attachment of the siding. Check with your contractor to see if you are expected to remove shutters and downspouts before the installation or if this will be done for you.
- Installation—Lastly, your contractor will install your new vinyl siding. An exceptionally high-quality vinyl siding system will comprise two layers—an outer layer of Vycralar 90 vinyl, a weatherproof material of extreme strength, certified impact resistance, and superior air infiltration ratings, and an inner layer of expanded polystyrene, an innovative rigid foam fused to the vinyl backing. This type of vinyl siding features a lifetime warranty, guaranteeing your siding will maintain its appearance and effectiveness as long as your home remains standing. It doesn’t fade, peel, warp, or crack, and can tolerate wind damage from speeds up to 130 mph.
Signs You Should Consider Siding Replacement
The following signs indicate your siding should be replaced this year:
- Your siding is warping, bending, or pulling away from your home’s surface.
- There are small black or green patches on your siding, especially on the shady side of your home.
- The interior of your home shows damage, such as peeling paint or loose wallpaper.
- Spots of your siding give in slightly when you apply pressure.
These signs indicate that rain or moisture have intruded behind or underneath your siding and caused damage. Trapped moisture will further damage your home by rotting boards, encouraging mold growth and deteriorating your infrastructure. If your home is displaying signs that your siding is no longer effectively protecting your home, you should contact a professional contractor to discuss vinyl siding replacement.
Moisture problems only worsen, especially over the winter, and more complicated problems require more expensive solutions. If you have concerns about your siding, contact an expert immediately.